voice;

[ahappylie]

In my country we have a lot of stories of famous historical figures - some whose tales have grown as they have become more legend than person.

Take, for example, the Tale of Musashino Benkei. He was a rugged monk and ascetic who grew to a monstrous height. Benkei was famed for his feats of strength and decided to gather 1,000 swords by defeating 1,000 samurai as they crossed a bridge. He fought day after day, defeating famous, feared warrior after warrior and collecting 999 swords.

But then, one day, a young man came across his bridge. Benkei challenged him to a duel as he had with countless braver, bigger men before him. The boy took out a flute and accepted the challenge.

And soundly beat Benkei.

The boy was Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who having been raised by the tengu, was endowed with their skill in the sword. Benkei was so taken in by the young man that he pledged his loyalty to him forever. Benkei and Lord Yoshitsune fought many trials together as they tried to reclaim the Minamoto's birthright.

However, the Lord and his retainer were betrayed by Yoshitsune's older brother, Yoritomo, who feared Yoshitsune's popularity and skill would cost him power. He chased Lord Yoshitsune and Benkei across Japan, cornering them in a mountain castle. Knowing that there was no escape, Yoshitsune retreated to the innermost castle to commit seppuku while Benkei, ever loyal and fierce, guarded the only entrance - a single bridge.

He killed dozens of men trying to cross and take Lord Yoshitsune's head. Defeating each as easily as he had back on that fateful day when he first met his young lord. Lord Yoritomo's forces grew afraid and were ordered to take Benkei down the only way they knew how - with arrows. They loosed flight after flight at him, enough to darken the sky, and yet he still stood, his weapon at his side to protect the bridge.

It wasn't until they ran out of arrows that they realized...

Benkei had died long ago, but his valor and his loyalty had kept him upright, giving Lord Yoshitsune time to commit seppuku rather than be taken by the enemy. His story is still told today, in my time, as a symbol of true loyalty and devotion to a cause a person.

[He takes a deep breath after speaking for so long. It whistles a little in his lungs, but he manages not to cough.]

Do you have any such stories? Famous people or groups? I'd love to hear them. It would be a nice break from all the loud music.

Comments

[bythewaves]

A sad tale then, but a noble one, as well. There is great beauty in a tale of such strong loyalty.

[ahappylie]

We do like such stories in my country. The story of the Chuushingura is another such tale of beautiful loyalty and terrible fates.

[bythewaves]

Loyalty and sacrifice. [ He muses ]

And are there tales of victories won, of happier fates?

[ahappylie]

I suppose yes, although the ones that become famous in my country are usually the sadder ones.

Or the bawdy ones.

[bythewaves]

[ that brings a soft laugh ]

That does tend to be the case. And tis also true that tragedy oftimes makes for a more interesting tale then joy.

[ahappylie]

Is it the same in your world? Or do your people prefer happy endings.

[bythewaves]

A little of both, I think. There is a reason we call history the Long Defeat and yet fight evil at every turn! Most of our great tales have roots in tragedy, but the best loved ones find Hope at the end.

[ahappylie]

Could you tell me a story then? I'd love to hear one now.

[bythewaves]

I can! What sort of tale would you like?

[ahappylie]

Mm one with hope perhaps. To balance the story I gave.

/insert Lord of the Rings text here because I am not typing it all out lol

[bythewaves]

What then is Hope [ Maglor says softly, eyes distant in memory, the words clearly a quote, and then he smiles ]

Hear then, the tale of the War of the Rings!

[ He sings it, for Soujirou, so that those who hear can see it happen, as well as hear it. The tale of a small people who changed the course of history, of courage in dark places, of hope that looked beyond the self to the ultimate end, of victory unlooked for and unguessed. ]

lmfao best

[ahappylie]

[He likes listening to Maglor's songs. This one is long, but fascinating and the way Maglor sings, it makes him feel like he's really experiencing the story as it unfolds. He can imagine and feel the heartache, the triumphs, the desperation and the overwhelming feeling of hope throughout the entire ballad.]

That was beautiful. Thank you.

I used to summarise it, but then I decided I was too lazy

[bythewaves]

Thank you for listening. [ Maglor smiles back ]

Like yours, that is also a true tale, for the War of the Ring ended not three years ago, now.

tbh i would too

[ahappylie]

Oh...Is the world recovering after such a big battle? I can't imagine how much havoc it must have wrecked upon the people.

XD

[bythewaves]

Slowly, yes. Mind, I speak only of the known world, for what is beyond the deserts of Harad none of us have had the opportunity to discover, as yet. But we do recover, aye. It was a hard few winters! But things are definitely, as the hobbits say, "looking up".

[ahappylie]

[That gives him hope that his country will also recover. Their battle won't be anywhere near as devastating to the people, if everything goes well.

And if not? Well...Japan has survived worse.]

I do hope the recovery continues well then. The fight is still not over until it does.

[bythewaves]

Even so! I will miss the world that was, but I look forwards to what it will become.

And perhaps I will finally have a chance to travel.

[ahappylie]

Oh you should! I've heard wonderful things about traveling. The furthest I've gone is from Edo to Kyoto. And I suppose after that a few trips about for various things, but the world seems so fascinating now that I know about it.

Where do you wish to go?

[bythewaves]

What was your journey like, between Edo and Kyoto?

As for myself... well I know the lands of Middle-earth very well now, so I am hoping to go further. Across the western deserts to Rhun and Khand and Harad, maybe, or seek for the lost lake of Cuivienen, where my people first awoke.

[ahappylie]

It was loud. [He laughs.] We went in a large group and marched from Edo to the capital city. With so many of us together, people were boisterous and singing or joking most of the way there.

[And there was so much hope. The Shieikan had finally made its mark on the world, and everything laid in front of them was full of possibilities. They didn't know yet that the Roshigumi would go through such growing pains and that the Shinsengumi would begin its life soaked in the blood of their own leaders. For the briefest of moments, he was truly weightlessly happy.]

Do you know what to expect in those new lands? The people or the terrain?

[bythewaves]

To travel with friends makes a road shorter.

[ Wryly he adds ]

Of course, depending on the nature of your friends it might make it longer, too.

[ He shakes his head ]

Not really - being at war for so long, only the bravest of traders have dared the desert sands, which pass far too close to the Black Gate for most people's liking, and are risky at the best of times.

[ahappylie]

I wouldn't mind it so much, if the road had been longer.

[Thinking of what has happened since then, it might have been nicer to spend a little more time being so carefree.]

But now that the danger has passed, there should be more trade and travelers along those routes, yes?

[bythewaves]

Ah, the best kind of friends, eh?

[ Maglor hums softly ]

Aye - I hope so! There will always be war. But the Shadow has been defeated, and we can hope for peace now, without His meddling.

[ahappylie]

Mm.

[Thinking of them makes his heart hurt. He misses them more and more as the days pass since he last saw them or heard any of their voices. It's getting harder to remember the little things about them and it worries him.]

I hope your world finds a long lasting peace at last, Maglor-san.

[bythewaves]

I hope yours will as well.

[ Maglor smiles ]

I think we will do well. For as long as Aragorn is king, anyway. And after that... who knows!